Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins believes the first overall pick Zaccharie Risacher has a bright future ahead of him with the Atlanta Hawks after seeing him in a limited sample of NBA Summer League action.
Risacher made his Hawks debut in Las Vegas, averaging 14.5 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block on 39.3 percent shooting in two games. He scored in double figures in both games, including 18 points and five rebounds in his first game on July 12.
Wilkins, the Hawks’ vice president of basketball, said Matt Barnes And Stephen Jackson on the “All the Smoke” podcast that Risacher could become a key player in the organization on the ground over time.
He’s young, man. What’s with this kid, 19? He’s gifted. He’s gifted, but you gotta give him time. Give him time. He’ll do just fine. Trust me. He’ll do just fine.
Risacher was named the 2024 EuroCup Rising Star after averaging 11.1 points and 3.9 rebounds on 38.7 percent three-point shooting in 65 games for JL Bourg in France. He joined Kristaps Porzingis and Jonas Valanciunas among the recipients of the award.
The Frenchman was the Hawks’ first No. 1 pick since David Thompson in 1975 and is their highest-drafted player since Marvin Williams was selected fifth overall in 2005. He figures to be a key player for the team and a player the organization can build around.
Risacher was recently screened among best small forwards in the nba for the upcoming season, as he can influence games on both ends of the court. He enters the year with high expectations and will soon have the chance to prove that he is the first choice.
This article was originally published on Rookie Wire: Hall of Famer on Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher: ‘He’ll be fine’